Do ovulation sticks actually work? So confused by my body. HELP!!

[peskyfeelings]

TTC #1 and on cycle 2 since coming off the pill. I've been on pill for years, so I am totally out of sync with my bodies rhythms. I've had two periods so far, with thirty day cycles. Last period only lasted tw0 days though which worried me. I've gotten it into my head that I've got low fertility, and two day periods are a sign of it.

Tested with ovulation stick on CD 17. I was getting cramps low down, and assumed they were my ovulation pains. I got a semi dark test line, tested next day and test line seemed similar colour to control line, only not as wide (none of my test lines are as wide as control line)

Just for fun I've tested on CD 19, 20, 21 and 22 as well. There are dark lines still coming up, when surely it should be fading away by now? Also, my ovulation pains have continued, but normally they've usually gone away by this point. Right now I have an unpleasant, pinching twinge down right side under my hip bone, going down to my vagina (sorry if tmi there) It almost feels like an itch, but inside me.

I can't use CM as a guide, as I have very little of it so far. I've been taking Evening Primrose Oil to help with it. Hopefully it will start working soon.

I've also usually started to get sore, lumpy boobs by this point PO. I've been cursed with painful boobs in the last 2 weeks of cycle all my life. This time though there's not so much as a bump on them yet!

Really don't know what's going on. Surely I can't be ovulating for 6 days straight? Has anyone else experienced this post ovulation? I feel so confused by it all. I can't even ask a friend, as none of mine have children. Amazing in itself considering I'm 37!!

[BestBeastie]

I know what you mean about being absolutely befuddled by your body - mine is just doing it to annoy me now.

2 things though:

1. Have you tried a pregnancy test? 2 day period could be an implantation bleed? It's a long shot but worth discounting considering your other strange symptoms.
   
2. Perhaps try clearblue, as it 'gets used' to your body and its levels rather than jumping in straight. I've got my own issues with this OPK (I don't think they're that good, tbh, as I'm sure I ovulate quite a bit after my LH surge and it doesn't help you identify that) but it might be worth a shot.
   

Good luck!

[peskyfeelings]

It's so frustrating isn't it BestBeastie? The scariest thing is how little knowledge I've had about my own body right up until now. These things really should be taught to girls in school.

I haven't tested as yet. I will do if AF doesn't appear as planned on 28th, but I honestly don't think last period was implantation. Still doesn't explain my horrid twinges atm though! :(

I haven't tried clearblue. I have heard good things about them though. Up until now I was just guessing ovulation from pains, but then I found out they don't necessarily happen at the same time. It's a minefield of info to take in isn't it?

Good luck to you as well. Hope you get your bfp soon! :)

[BoBo90]

Hi, cycle two is still very early on and your body is still settling so could be a bit all over the place!
Your symptoms are normal though so don't worry. I have ov pains for a week or so before ov and also have several days of dark lines on opks 🙂 You need to make sure you test 2/3 times a day when they get dark so you catch the true positive Opk as it can last just a few hours! I'd assume you've not quite got a positive yet and keep testing 🙂

It could also be that your body is trying to ov but failing. Which isn't unusual after stopping the pill.

Or like the other poster said you could be pg already as opks can pick up pregnancy!

So keep testing with the opks and stick them in a little notepad with notes so you can compare next cycle 🙂 Dtd as much as possible while you're getting dark lines and do a pg test to double check! Good luck 😄 Xxx

[Juliecloud]

I had this twice and both times I was pregnant. I didn't test with ovulation sticks in other cycles so I don't know if it would have happened anyway or not.

[ps2304]

Have you tried a pregnancy test?

[peskyfeelings]

BoBo90. I will definitely be following your advice for a notebook of sticks from next month. It will make a lovely addition to the bookshelf😊

Perhaps this cycle is going to be extra long and that's why I'm still cramping/no boob soreness yet? The boob thing is odd. I've always gotten the most horrible boob pain when cycling. I could do with this cramping buggering off though. It's so annoying!

The test line is coming up as far as the control line mostly. Just the test line is a bit thinner. I guess I just keep testing out of a weird fascination. I should probably stop. This is all so new to me though...I think I'm getting a little carried away.

Juliecloud/ps2304: I haven't tested yet. I will in a few days though if everything still the same. It's probably irrational, but I've totally convinced myself that falling pg will be a massive battle due to my age. I can hardly entertain the thought of it happening this quickly!

[peskyfeelings]

Sorry, that should have read that test line is coming up as dark as control line mostly.

[TurquoiseDress]

I had medical treatment for a missed miscarriage around 10 days ago.

For some reason, I have bought ovulation sticks off Amazon...I have fallen pregnant twice now, with no issues at all, within weeks of stopping the pill.

I don't know, maybe I am starting to panic as I'm 38 and aware that time is ticking away!

Do these OPK sticks actually work...?

I tested one today just to see & it came back as positive (fairly dark line next to the control line)...is this possible 10 days post-miscarriage?

Not that DH and are planning any sex soon.

I find the images for positive/negative a bit confusing, if somebody could clarify that would be great.

Is a faint 2nd line (next to the control line) classed as a negative result? or a weak positive?

I know I need to read up on OPKs a but more, but wondered if somebody could explain please.

Trying to take my mind off everything that has happened recently.

[peskyfeelings]

I think a weak line is a positive, but I'm definitely no expert!

I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

I tested today (with cheap pound shop pg strips) It was negative. :(

I really wish these cramps would go away. It's been a week now. Ugh!